Shippax Newsletter– week 50
UK government’s emissions-reduction scheme will increase pollution, warns Wightlink
Isle of Wight ferry operator Wightlink has raised concerns that the UK government's expansion of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to the maritime sector may inadvertently increase pollution and strain operators' decarbonization efforts, despite its aim to cut emissions.
The scheme, set to apply to shipping from summer 2026, will require companies exceeding emissions thresholds to buy allowances for each tonne of CO2 emitted. Wightlink estimates the policy could add up to GBP 1 million annually to its costs, compounding recent increases in National Insurance contributions and business rates.
World's first fully autonomous passenger ferry launches commercial service in Japan
OLYMPIA DREAM SETO © Richard Seville
The passenger ferry OLYMPIA DREAM SETO has begun commercial operations on the Okayama-Shodoshima route, becoming the world's first regular service using Level 4-equivalent autonomous navigation – allowing fully automated voyages without human intervention in designated waters.
Operated by Ryobi Ferry Co., the 66-metre vessel, which carries up to 500 passengers between Shin-Okayama Port and Teshima Port in the busy Seto Inland Sea, passed Japan's national ship inspection on 5 December as the country's inaugural autonomous vessel. Its inaugural unmanned runs started 11 December, marking a leap forward in addressing Japan's acute crew shortages amid an ageing population and reducing human-error incidents on island routes.
BYD Energy Storage and Corvus Energy Sign Strategic MoU to Accelerate Marine Battery Innovation
BYD Energy Storage and Corvus Energy AS (Corvus) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic collaboration aimed at advancing next-generation battery solutions for the maritime sector.
The MoU strengthens the cooperative relationship between the two companies by combining BYD Energy Storage's scale and technological know-how in LFP batteries with Corvus Energy's expertise in marine ESS applications. Together, BYD Energy Storage and Corvus will work to accelerate product development, enhance global market reach, and deliver innovative, safe, and high-efficiency energy storage solutions for the global shipping industry.
bound4blue lands USD 44 million investment to accelerate industrialisation
VILLE DE BORDEAUX with bound4blue’s suction sails installed
bound4blue has closed a USD 44 million funding round backed by leading maritime corporates, ship owning families, climate-focused investors and government capital. The round was led by OCTAVE Capital, an investment platform affiliated with major shipowner: IMC, and Katapult Ocean. The round brings together new investors including Motion Ventures, Odfjell family office and ReOcean Fund - led by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and Monaco Asset Management - alongside existing investors Shift4Good, GTT Strategic Ventures, KAI Capital and CDTI (Innvierte SICC), who strengthened their commitment to the company.
lomarlabs supports Advanced Wing Systems to innovate containerised automated wing sails for commercial shipping
lomarlabs, the venture catalyst created by Lomar, announced it is collaborating with Advanced Wing Systems to advance the adaptation of proven sail technology into a containerised, automated system, designed for global merchant shipping. Advanced Wing Systems is a pioneer of semi-rigid wing sails, offering many of the aerodynamic advantages of rigid wings but with fewer operational constraints.
Compagnie Vendéenne orders new vessel for Île d'Yeu ferry routes
Compagnie Vendéenne, part of the Croisières Inter-îles group, has ordered a new vessel 100% designed and built in France, in Vendée. For over 25 years (April–November), the company has run maritime links to Île d'Yeu from Port Joinville, Port Fromentine (La Barre-de-Monts), St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, and Barbâtre (Île de Noirmoutier).
The Wallis 26 vessel balances comfort, efficiency, and current capacity. Optimised hull (via CFD simulation) and electronic fuel management will cut fuel use significantly. Automatic Humphree stabilisers enhance sea comfort. Launch: April 2027, St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie.
AIDA Cruises completes major AIDALUNA refit and fleet modernization
AIDA Cruises successfully concluded a seven-week refurbishment of the cruise ship AIDALUNA at the Chantier Naval shipyard in Marseille, France. The project, running from 23 October to 8 December 2025, represents the second phase of the "AIDA Evolution" initiative aimed at modernisation of the company's Selection-class fleet.
The extensive maintenance period focused on technical upgrades, energy efficiency, and a comprehensive overhaul of all guest and crew areas, involving approximately 2,200 specialists.
Extension of charter agreement of the cruise ferry SILJA EUROPA
SILJA EUROPA in Rotterdam © Frank Lose
The subsidiary of AS Tallink Grupp, Tallink Silja OY and Slaapschepen Public BV, an organisation nominated by Centraal Orgaan Opvang Asielzoekers (COA) in the Netherlands extended the charter agreement for the cruise ferry SILJA EUROPA until 31 January 2027 with the option of extending the agreement for another year.
AS Tallink Grupp Statistics for November 2025
In November 2025, AS Tallink Grupp transported 377,163 passengers, which is a 1.9% increase compared to November 2024. The number of cargo units decreased by 7.3% to 19,846 units and the number of passenger vehicles decreased by 1.0% to 46,636 units compared to the same period a year ago.
Over 150 cruise ships to call at Ports of Stockholm in 2026
Cruise traffic in Ports of Stockholm continues to increase. In 2026, 157 vessels with more than 300,000 passengers are expected to visit the ports. Cruise ship calls now occur throughout the year, with the majority of passengers coming from the German market.
KNUD E. HANSEN supports next-generation RoPax ferries for Cook Strait
KNUD E. HANSEN is pleased to announce a significant milestone in its ongoing collaboration with Ferry Holdings Limited. Following the successful signing of the shipbuilding contract with Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI), two new state-of-the-art RoPax vessels will be built.
KNUD E. HANSEN'S involvement has included:
- Development of the initial concept designs
- Preparation and refinement of detailed contract specifications
- Shipyard capability assessments and vetting
- Technical and commercial support during contract negotiations.
Samsølinjen’s electric ferry TYRFING delayed
TYRFING © P&S
Samsølinjen's upcoming electric ferry, the TYRFING, has arrived in Denmark and is at the shipyard in Svendborg after a delayed journey home marred by severe weather. The work at the Svendborg shipyard has proved more extensive than anticipated, resulting in a further delay for the ferry.
The final work on Samsølinjen's new electric ferry, the TYRFING, is unfortunately being extended. The ferry arrived in Denmark following a tough journey home in very poor weather, which significantly delayed the vessel and put the schedule under pressure.
Øresundslinjen hits 16-year high for foot passengers
Measured by foot passengers, the Øresundslinjen ferries between Helsingør and Helsingborg have not had a better November since 2008. A total of 272,311 travellers boarded in November this year. This is 16 per cent better than in November 2024.
Back in November 2008, there were 278,287 foot passengers on the ferries.
ORBIT CLIPPER launch marks new era for sustainable London transport
The fully electric ORBIT CLIPPER has completed its first passenger trip across the River Thames, ushering in a new era for sustainable transport in London. The ferry, owned and operated by Uber Boat by Thames Clippers developed with part funding from the Department for Transport and Innovate UK, was built in conjunction with project partners including high-speed aluminium ship builder, Wight Shipyard Company; maritime civil engineering consultants, Beckett Rankine; and electric infrastructure specialists, Aqua superPower.
GNV VIRGO bunkers LNG as Italy's first long-haul LNG-powered ship on a scheduled route
GNV has achieved a milestone for Italian shipping with the inaugural LNG refuelling of a passenger ferry in Genoa. The highlight was GNV VIRGO, the company's newest vessel and Italy's first long-haul LNG-powered ship on a scheduled route.
The cost of a family ferry crossing – by route, day vs night, price per mile and versus flying
Every year, ferry comparison platform Ferrygogo takes a deep dive into the real cost of going on holiday by sea. In its latest analysis, the company examined what a return crossing in summer 2026 costs for a family of four with a car, across both night and day routes in Europe. The headline finding: a typical night ferry crossing next summer comes in at around GBP 930 in June and GBP 1,070 in August, and often undercuts the full cost of flying once hotel nights and car hire are included.
DBI publishes report and decision-support tool on risks of alternative fuels in maritime
The maritime sector is transitioning to lower-carbon fuels, including methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen, to reduce CO2 emissions. A report released by The Danish Institute of Fire and Security (DBI) through the METAFUEL project analyzes hazards associated with these fuels throughout the fuel-handling process, from bunkering to engine operation. The report includes a digital decision-support tool designed to assist stakeholders in identifying safety requirements, regulatory compliance, and knowledge gaps for vessel design and retrofitting.
Incat Tasmania and Molslinjen sign contract for third battery-electric high-speed catamaran
Molslinjen has now ordered the third battery-powered catamaran for the operation on the Kattegat. The shipping company has already ordered the first two ferries from Australian Incat, and it will also be the Tasmanian shipping company that will build the third ferry, which together will be the world's largest electrification project at sea. The plan is for the ferries to be deployed as they arrive in Denmark. The first ferry is scheduled to hit Danish waters at the end of 2027, the next in the summer of 2028, and the third in the spring of 2029.
+200 delegates. Secure your seat and book now!
An Event For Ferry Professionals
We now have more than 200 delegates registered, with several sponsorships already sold out, so we recommend booking soon to secure your participation at this 23rd annual ferry conference organized by Shippax.
WHERE? GNV’S RHAPSODY
ROUTE? Genoa - Olbia and return
WHEN? 5-7 May 2026
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